#334 — The Low-Trust Society

In this podcast episode, Sam Harris and David Brooks discuss the current state of American democracy and the liberal world order. They examine the drawbacks of moral individualism, the decline of social trust, and the dangers of identity politics. The conversation also touches on the future of the Republican Party, the upcoming 2024 presidential election, potential Trump indictments, and the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, they delve into the roots of liberalism and highlight the importance of institutions and cultural contexts that promote collective well-being. They emphasize the limitations of seeking moral purpose solely through politics and analyze the damaging impact of Trump's movement on the notion of moral high ground. The discussion also explores the difficulties of engaging in political conversations with Trump supporters and evaluates the performance of the Biden administration. Finally, they identify positive developments in addressing societal challenges. Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive examination of the current political landscape in the United States, offering insights into the state of American democracy and the liberal world order. Takeaways • The weaknesses of moral individualism and the importance of institutions • The loss of social trust in American society • The dangers of identity politics • The trajectory and challenges of the Republican Party • The upcoming 2024 presidential election and the Trump indictments • The war in Ukraine and its impact on American politics • The roots and evolution of liberalism • The need for cultural contexts that support collective well-being • The limitations of seeking moral purpose solely through politics • The corrosive impact of Trump's movement on the concept of moral high ground • The challenges in political conversations with Trump supporters • The assessment of the Biden administration's performance and the prospects of the Democratic party